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The Mercedes-Benz E Class is good, the Ford Fiesta is better, but the Golf is best of all from more than 100 new cars that landed in Australia over the past year.
After an intensive two-day test program, based in Brisbane and including everything from freeways and country roads to a hit-out at the Lakeside racetrack, the Golf emerged as the first choice with six of the nine COTY judges. They assessed the German hatchback and its rivals for everything from value and safety to fuel economy, ride, handling and quality.
The Golf's final margin, with cars scored 10-1 by each judge, was an 86-78 point victory over the Fiesta, with the Mercedes-Benz third on 63. Despite its green credentials, the hybrid Toyota Prius finished last with only 15 points.
The Fiesta might have been runner-up in the Carsguide COTY contest but it also scooped a win for 2009 when it took the Green Car of the Year award. The Golf tested for the COTY contest was the 1.4-litre twincharger model with a DSG manu-matic gearbox. It is priced at $32,990 but the Golf range starts at $25,990.
"Not too hot, not too cold and, crucially, not too expensive," says Kevin Hepworth of the Daily Telegraph. But some cars were not rated so highly, including the super-quick Nissan GT-R that was only placed eighth.
"Sure, it’s an engineering and technological tour-de-force, but it’s impossible to live with. And you can’t get past the fact that the brute is just plain ugly," says Karla Pincott of Carsguide.com.au.
The final field for Carsguide COTY 2009 was loaded with affordable, real-world cars including the popular Mazda3, the mid-sized Subaru Liberty, the Hyundai i30CW station wagon — sister to the i30 that won COTY in 2007 — and the compact Holden Cruze that will go into local production in Adelaide next year.
What the judges said
Paul Gover, national motoring editor: The right car won. The Golf was voted World Car of the Year when it landed in Europe and now it has claimed the big prize in Australia. I was surprised by the poor showing of the Prius, but it was shown up as a car — not a science experiment — in this field.
Kevin Hepworth: Daily Telegraph, Sydney: The E is all class. Outside the price range of most people but what you get for your money is a taste of the good life with automotive best practice. Fast, furious and a technological battleship but … the GT-R would be the hardest of any of the finalists to live with on a day-to-day basis, even if you managed to keep your license.
Neil Dowling, Sunday Times, Perth: In a world of rapid change, Volkswagen stood back and reappraised its family hatchback. Changes to the Golf appear small yet the car is far better built, technologically breathtaking and has driving characteristics and safety beyond its pricetag. The Prius is a highly-advanced car that showcases Toyota's ability to bridge technologies of the past and future. Clever, but too far too fast.
Stuart Martin, Adelaide Advertiser: Golf feels solid and completes its designated tasks with German efficiency and even a little bit of flair. While it didn’t end up in the top spot on my votes, Godzilla proved to be greater than the sum of its parts, both on the track (where it is king) and on the road.
Keith Didham, Hobart Mercury: At the end of the day, it's the Mercedes Benz E250 I would be happy owning. It won't appeal to all and it has its shortcomings in what's offered as standard equipment, but it's so sweet to drive, has the solid quality and safety you expect from this brand and is superbly comfortable. As much as I love the raw grunt and seat of your pants handling, the GT-R doesn't cut it for me. Great concept but poor execution."
Mark Hinchliffe, Courier Mail, Brisbane: The Fiesta is a surprise package. Splendid handling, cutesy looks and an accommodating interior. I'd own one. Who would have thought a Daewoo-sourced Holden would make it to our top 10? A couple of suspension, steering and brake tweaks and the Cruze could be a more serious contender.
Neil McDonald, Herald Sun, Melbourne: The GT-R has sensational power and handling but this Japanese supercar is better on the track than the road. My favourite is the Fiesta, which has inherently good dynamics, impressive packaging and contemporary styling to give it a distinct edge over the competition.
Karla Pincott, Carsguide.com.au: The Golf is pricier than other cars its size, but for that money it offers a lot of more of everything, and it’s simply more fun to be with. If you weigh up value for money and then add bang for the buck, this is a clear stand-out. The E Class is a beautifully-built package, well thought-out, safe, solid and smooth to drive. But you go cold once you look at the price tag – and how the tag grows once you start adding options that should be standard.
Bruce McMahon, Courier Mail, Brisbane: The little Fiesta is a charmer, cheap and cheerful with a great chassis. Sure there are some edges a little unrefined and maybe the style lines won’t last forever but the baby Ford is one safe and sure package full of character. Toyota's Prius may be a step in the right direction but there are many more steps to take. It is expensive, fuel consumption can be matched by Euro-diesels and it is out of its depth on roads beyond city streets and freeways.
The final count
1. Volkswagen Golf — 86 points
2. Ford Fiesta — 78 points
3. Mercedes-Benz E Class — 73 points
4. Subaru Liberty — 63 points
5. Mazda3 — 49 points
6. Volvo XC60 — 38 points
7. Hyundai i30 CW — 36 points
8. Nissan GT-R — 30 points
9. Holden Cruze — 27 points
10. Toyota Prius — 15 points
Previous COTY winners
2008 Ford Falcon FG
2007 Hyundai i30
2006 Holden Commodore VE
2005 Suzuki Swift
2004 Ford Territory
2003 Honda Accord Euro
2002 Ford Falcon BA
2001 Holden Monaro
2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
1999 Toyota Echo
1998 Holden Astra
1997 Holden Commodore VT
More about the car of the year
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